Florence | Italy : A Quick Guide to Planning Your Adventure

Oh, Florence, you charming little city.

Words can’t do this magical place justice – it’s a feeling I hope you experience soon [ if you haven’t already ]. Although a major tourist destination, Florence hasn’t lost its luster, and it’s managed to preserve its “old city” feel. It is best traveled on foot, so ditch your map and embrace the cobblestone streets and winding sidewalks. Lounge in the lively piazzas. Sip an espresso at the bar. Taste every Tuscan wine you can. Marvel at the beautiful churches and look up at their magnificent domes. Wander the world-class museums. Toss your worries over the Ponte Vecchio [ bridge ]. Relax. Clear your mind. Be in the moment. This magnificent city deserves it. You deserve it.

Accommodation

I am so grateful to have stayed at the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa while visiting Florence. It was a very nice upgrade from the 12-person hostel dorm room we were used to. This boutique hotel is rumored to be the oldest hotel in Italy. The location can’t be beat – located in the heart of the city and minutes away from some of the city’s most iconic locations.

Pretty cool

Florence is home to many beautiful churches. The Santa Maria del Fiore is undoubtedly the most well-known and iconic cathedral, as its massive dome and bell tower dominates the city skyline. From far away, the pink, green and white marble facade could pass as a backdrop on a movie set. But up close, the intricate details come alive. It is free to enter the church, so spend some time inside. The interior dome is a painting of the Last Judgment, which was designed and painted in the 16th century.

The Santa Maria del Fiore deserves every bit of glamor and attention it receives, but I’d also recommend visiting the Church of Santa Croce, which has a neat story behind it’s beautiful marble facade. It is also the burial place of Michelangelo and Galileo, among many other well-known Florentines and Italians. If you participate in a free [ read: tips-based ] walking tour of Florence, you’ll likely visit both churches.

Don’t miss it

The “Big Boy,” as our tour guide so eloquently said it. Don’t leave Florence without a trip to the Accademia to gawk at the Big Boy. Many say that Michelangelo’s masterpiece is the “perfect man,” but you will learn that he is far from perfect. I highly recommend taking a small group tour [ or downloading an audio guide ] so you’ll have much more insight into the creation of David. You will learn why David isn’t so perfect after all [ spoiler: Michelangelo knew what he was doing ], and that David was sculpted from one piece of white marble. It’s incredible how intricate he is – the veins, toe nails, muscles. He is crafted in such a way that you feel his eyes still gazing at you as you walk around him. Once you’re finishing eyeing the museum’s star attraction, wander through the other exhibits, as there is much more to see than David.

Wish I had more time for

The vino, the vino! It’s simply delicious in this region [ and really, all of the Italy ]. Although we enjoyed some of the best wine I’d tasted [ like at Cantinetta Antinori ], I would have loved to visit a Tuscan winery. With limited time [ and a mother who broke three ribs a few weeks prior], we stayed off the vespas and within the city of Florence. To visit nearby wineries, you could rent a car or a vespa. There are also dozens of bike [ or bus ] tours.

Must try food/drink

The Italians know food. Every meal was delicious – from pizza to pasta to meat dishes. Truffles are in many signature dishes. I nearly ate my weight in bread, as the oil olive is so delicious. And the Chianti – oh, the Chianti – Delicioso! Take a break from exploring the city with a glass of vino and a cheese and charcuterie plate. And just as I did in Rome, be sure to end each day with some gelato. I don’t discriminate when it comes to gelato, but I will say the mango gelato at Grom was one of my favorites!

I also had one of the best meals of my life at L’Osteria Di Giovanni. The service is absolutely outstanding – it truly was an experience.

Here’s some hints

– It can be a long wait to get into the Accademia for David. Even with our “skip the line” tour pass, we waited for 30 minutes. Go early. Join a formal tour. Buy a coffee. Wait. It. Out. David is worth it.

– Rub that little piggy’s nose! Legend has it, if you rub the pig’s nose, you’ll return to Florence one day. It’s located beside the New Market [ Mercato Nuovo ]. Side note: It’s actually a massive, bronze wild boar statue [ but I wish it was a cute little piggy ].

– Florence is known for its high-quality leather products [ jackets, wallets, purses, shoes, etc. ]. Leather shops are everywhere. If that is your thing, check out the Leather School [ Scuola del Cuoio ].

Next stop

With two months of traveling under our belt, it was time to relax! So, I rubbed the pig’s nose and hugged my parents goodbye before heading northwest to Cinque Terre. Florence, I will see you again!

Have you visited Florence? Share your experience and recommendations in the comments below.

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Church of Santa Croce

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If you want authentic leather from Florence, visit the Scuola del Cuoio [ The Leather School ] located inside the Monastery of Santa Croce. It makes for a great souvenir!Outside our lovely hotel, NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa. There are many shops [ mostly jewelry ] on the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge. Carlo Lorenzini, the author of Pinocchio, was born in Florence. You’ll find Pinocchio souvenirs all over the city!Delicious gelato from Grom. A carousel in the Piazza della Repubblica. There are many restaurants, shops and cafes in the piazza. Pop in to Caffè Gilli for a delicious coffee and sweet dessert. We all rubbed the pig’s nose before departing the city. We’ll see you again, Florence!

We had an evening in the Tuscan hills at an old farm overlooking the city where we made our own pizzas from scratch and our own gelato. Was one of the best evenings we had, there was a great group of people from all over the world. We did this experience with Walkabout Florence and would definitely recommend them.